Enjoy the fun of shared time as you explore Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands National Park and the beautiful Black Hills. Saddle up for a Western trail ride and discover ancient fossils and lunar-like deposits in the Badlands. Share stories around an open fire while you learn, laugh and create memories for both generations.

Highlights

• Go horseback riding, splash in a historic warm water spring, visit a mammoth sink hole and learn how to pan for gold like Potato Creek Johnny. • Experience Custer State Park’s “wildlife loop” in search of buffalo, pronghorns, begging burrows and big horn sheep.• Take a chair lift up to a ridge for a special view of Mount Rushmore and feel the wind in your hair as you zip back down on the Alpine slide.

Activity Particulars

Coordinated by Black Hills Educational Institute.

Mount Rushmore

Massive granite faces overlook the forested treetops of the Black Hills, representing the first 150 years of American history in the sculptural representation of four U.S. presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln. Mount Rushmore and the gateway town of Keystone attract visitors to this beautiful, storied region of the state.

Accommodations
Secluded lodge with view of Mount Rushmore on 45 forested acres with large meadow that is often a wildlife playground.

Road Scholar Instructors

These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.

Robert Yellowhawk

Robert Gerald Yellowhawk is a native South Dakotan, born in Rapid City. His goal as a youth was to graduate from high school, and now he is a sophomore at Oglala Lakota College in Rapid City, majoring in business administration. A participant as a sixth-grader in the Ateyapi Program, he is now a fulltime mentor helping youths understand traditional Native American dance, values, regalia, ceremonies and the Lakota language. Robert worked two summers at Crazy Horse Memorial.

Erin Woods

Erin Woods is an elementary teacher in the Rapid City School District. With a keen interest in Mount Rushmore history, she enthusiastically relates how Mount Rushmore was carved and how the architects and carvers were able to keep the head of George Washington in proportion to Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt. Erin has a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, with an emphasis in math and educational technology.

Meals and Lodgings

K Bar S Lodge

Keystone, SD

5 nights

K Bar S Lodge

Type:

Lodge

Description:

The K Bar S Lodge, built in 2006, is located with a view of Mount Rushmore. It is quietly secluded on 31 forested acres. Battle Creek winds its way throughout the property and the large meadow in front of the Lodge is often the playground for deer and turkeys.

Each room is equipped with an ironing board and iron, in room coffee, hair dryer, and television. All rooms feature highest quality Serta Presidential mattresses and custom made furniture. Rooms are not equipped with a mini-fridge but, the 24 hour manned front desk has a large refrigerator for any medicines that may need to be kept cool.

Facility amenities:

A beautiful lobby provides a spectacular view of Mount Rushmore and nearby Mount Baldy. Free coffee is available in the lobby. An elevator serves the main building while ramps service all other hotel room buildings. The lodge provides free wireless and wired in-room internet. Free guest laundry is available on site.

Smoking allowed:

No

Elevators available:

Yes

Additional nights prior:

call for pricing Additional night reservations may be made by calling the K Bar S Lodge direct at 1-866-522-7724.

Check in time:

3:00 PM

Additional nights after:

call for pricing Additional night reservations may be made by calling the K Bar S Lodge direct at 1-866-522-7724.

Check out time:

11:00 AM

Travel Details

Start
of Program:
Hotel check-in 3:00PM. Registration in the hotel lobby between 4:00 and 4:45. Orientation at 5:00. You will be staying at K Bar S Lodge that night.

End
of Program:
Program ends after breakfast at 9:00AM. Hotel check out at 11:00AM. You will be staying at K Bar S Lodge the night before.

Required
documents:
The Participant Information Form is required. There will be waivers for activities like horse-back riding and the alpine slide that will need to be signed and returned ahead of program start.

Rapid City

From Airport

Service:

TaxiRapid Taxiphone: 605-348-8080Advanced Reservations Required

Per Person/One Way:

Call for current rates.Prices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

45 minutes

Distance:

30 miles

Please call no earlier than two days ahead for reservations. Cash and credit cards accepted.

Rapid City

From Airport

Service:

Car RentalsBudgetphone: 605-393-0488Advanced Reservations Required

Per Person/One Way:

Call for current rates.Prices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

45 minutes

Distance:

30 miles

Unless you require personal transportation during the week or you plan to extend your visit we recommend using the Taxi or Airport Shuttle service. All local transportation is provided during the program.

Rapid City

From Airport

Service:

Per Person/One Way:

Call for current rates.Prices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

45 minutes

Distance:

30 miles

Unless you require personal transportation during the week or you plan to extend your visit, we recommend using the Taxi or Airport Shuttle service. All local transportation is provided during the program.

Driving
Directions

Denver, CO

The Black Hills are about 400 miles north of Denver.
Driving from Denver there are many routes through Nebraska or Wyoming. If arriving through Wyoming, the best route is north from Lusk on US Highway 85 to US Highway 18 at Mule Creek Junction. Turn right, east, toward Edgemont SD. After 12 miles, turn left on US Highway 89 that will then merge 16 miles later and become US Highway 385 north. Follow 385 north through the towns of Custer and Hill City to US Highway 16. Follow Highway 16 east to 16A and proceed as described below into Keystone and to the K Bar S.

Minneapolis, MN

Rapid City is about 600 miles west of Minneapolis. Take I90 West until exit 57 in Rapid City. Follow directions to Keystone, below.

Rapid City, SD

The K Bar S Lodge is located just 1/3 mile west of Keystone, South Dakota on the Old Hill City Road.
If you are arriving on Interstate 90 take exit 57, which becomes US Highway 16. Continue on Hwy. 16 south approximately 25 miles to a large arched wooden bridge that is the exit to US Highway 16A. This is well signed as the route to Mt. Rushmore. From this bridge continue south approximately 3 miles to Keystone. As you arrive in Keystone, you’ll approach a stop light. At this light, turn right on Old Hill City Rd. and go less than 1/2 mile to the K Bar S sign showing the address as 434 Old Hill City Road. Turn right at the sign and go onto the property.
Arriving by plane at Rapid City Regional Airport, you'll drive west on US Highway 44 and into Rapid City. At the intersection with US Highway 16, turn left (south) and go approximately 20 miles to a large arched wooden bridge that is the exit to US Highway 16A. Continue as above.

Elevation Note: Keystone is about 4,300 feet above sea level. Several of our field trips will be near 5,200 feet

Equipment Requirements: Long pants and tennis shoes or boots are required for horseback trail ride. Helmets are required and will be provided by the trail ride company. A swimming suite and towel, or $2 for towel rental, is required for swimming in the natural warm water springs at Evan's Plunge. Water sandals for gold panning is also a good idea.

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

Independent Arrivals / Registration / Orientation(Sunday, June 22)

Arrive To:

Check in any time after 3:00PM. Collect your Road Scholar Program Welcome Packet at time of check-in. Please stop by the Road Scholar registration table in the hotel lobby between 4:00 and 4:45 to complete some light paperwork. Orientation will take place at 5:00PM.

A deluxe continental breakfast will be provided in the K Bar S enclosed gazebo.

Morning:

We kick off our week of adventure with a morning field trip to Custer State Park. General Custer's expedition discovered gold here in 1874, and that began the rush of settlers to the Black Hills.
We'll stop at the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center where we'll get a close up look at the Park's history, mysteries, landscapes and wildlife that combine to create this diverse and beautiful park.
Next we'll take what we've learned and travel the Wildlife Loop road in search of buffalo, wild burrows, prairie dogs, elk, white tail deer and more. At the end of the loop, put on your cowboy hat for a fun filled hour long horseback trail ride.

Lunch:

Lunch will be provided at Blue Bell Lodge for all of the hungry cowboys and cowgirls.

Afternoon:

In an effort to honor the rich heritage and traditions of Native Americans, Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear set out to carve a mountain just south of Mount Rushmore that began in 1948.
Today, the Crazy Horse Memorial campus offers visitors breath-taking views of the ongoing carving from its viewing veranda. The campus also includes an Indian Museum of North America, gift shop, welcome center, and Native American Cultural Center.

Dinner:

Dinner will be at the K Bar S Lodge.

Evening:

Learn through a hands-on activity about the scaling and creation of Mount Rushmore.

A deluxe continental breakfast will be provided in the K Bar S enclosed gazebo.

Morning:

High in the Black Hills on a cliff of solid granite are the faces of four of our country's Presidents. Each had a special place in the establishment, exploration, preservation and development of our nation. This special place is Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Explore this magnificent Memorial and learn how and why this incredible carving was made. Those able to handle a significant number of stairs will want to visit the Sculptor's Studio to see the plaster models used by Gutzon Borglum to guide his gigantic carving.
Next, discover Mount Rushmore from a different angle as you ride a chair lift up to the top of a ridge. Enjoy the view as well as the ride back down on the lift or take the option of feeling the wind in your hair as you ride the alpine slide, at your own desired pace, back down the hill.

Lunch:

Lunch will be at the K Bar S Lodge.

Afternoon:

This afternoon travel to the Outdoor Campus and learn about the importance of South Dakota's wildlife, ecosystems and habitats through hands-on exhibits and activities.

Dinner:

Dinner will be at the K Bar S Lodge.

Evening:

Tonight's instructor will captivate us with oral stories and traditional Native American dance.

A deluxe continental breakfast will be provided in the K Bar S enclosed gazebo.

Morning:

Today,discover a land of extremes. Learn how a once subtropical paradise, complete with exotic sea creatures and dinosaurs, evolved into the desolate Badlands of today. At first glance this moon-like terrain may seem inhospitable but, look closely and you'll discover the secrets of life that lie with-in.

Lunch:

Lunch is on your own at the famous Wall Drug in Wall, SD.

Afternoon:

This afternoon obtain a new appreciation for those who blazed the trail of gold discovery decades before. Try your hand at imitating the miners from long ago by panning for gold, minerals and special gem stones.

Dinner:

Dinner will be at the K Bar S Lodge.

Evening:

The evening will once again be an opportunity to learn about this fascinating land with a hands on buffalo box presentation.
Enjoy a group campfire later in the evening - weather permitting.

Mammoth Site / Junior Paleo Dig / Swim in a Natural Warm Water Spring / Final Banquet.(Thursday, June 26)

Breakfast:

A deluxe continental breakfast will be provided in the K Bar S enclosed gazebo.

Morning:

This morning adventure awaits you! Travel back in time when Ice Age mammoths, camels, and giant short-faced bears roamed the Great Plains of North America. More than 26,000 years ago a sudden collapse of a sinkhole, with a warm spring percolating from the bottom, filled the sinkhole and created an ideal watering hole for animals to quench their thirst. Unfortunately the sinkhole proved to be too slippery and steep for the animals to retreat, thus creating a death trap for large Columbian and Woolly Mammoths.
Investigate this historic event by visiting the world's largest Columbian Mammoth exhibit and research center for Pleistocene studies and become a Junior Paleontologist as you help dig for signs of prehistoric life.

Lunch:

Lunch will be at Woolly's Family Restaurant in Hot Springs.

Afternoon:

This afternoon immerse yourself in the natural warm springs of Evans Plunge. Don't forget to pack your swimming suit and towel, or $2 for towel rental, for this fun afternoon of relaxing in the warm spring pools. Water slides add a little thrill for those young at heart!

A deluxe continental breakfast will be provided in the K Bar S enclosed gazebo.

Meals
Included:

Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities

Keystone, SD

General overviewThere are many additional activities available during your visit to the Black Hills. This program will touch on many of the general areas of interest but can not dig deeply into all there is to see and do here. There is an interesting and detailed history about Native Americans, plains settlers, gold seekers and more. Many people come to the Black Hills for exceptional trout fishing, photography, bicycling on old rail beds, hiking, and the study of specialized interests such as geology and palaeontology. There are numerous museums in Rapid City, Deadwood, Hill City, Custer and other smaller towns in the Black Hills. There is an almost endless list of public and private attractions to visit as well. Places such as Bear Country USA, Reptile Gardens, the Wild Horse Sanctuary, Mt. Rushmore Gold factory (on-the-floor factory tours), Jewel Cave, and dozens of other fun activities await your visit. In Keystone there is mini golf, the Presidential Wax museum, Rushmore Borglum Story, places to get your photo taken in historic costumes, gold mine tours, and much, much more.
The history of the gold rush days is easy to access with a stop in Deadwood about a 1 hour drive north of Keystone. You can take a trolley ride to Mt. Moriah to see Will Bill Hickok's resting place along side Martha Canary, better known as Calamity Jane. Or just a short 10 minute ride from Deadwood you might visit the Homestake Gold Mine's open cut or tour the Mining Museum to learn details of hard rock, underground mining.
From there you could travel to Devil's Tower in NE Wyoming and return to the Hills by driving through beautiful Spearfish Canyon, a National Scenic Byway.
There is so much to do in the Black Hills, there is a good reason the Black Hills are dubbed "Beyond All Expectations". For additional information, visit www.blackhillsbadlands.com

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List

The Carving of Mount Rushmore

Author: Rex Alan Smith

Description: This entertaining and very readable book tells the fascinating stories of the people of Mt. Rushmore. Included are first person accounts of not only the carvers, the politicians and Borglum, but an almost unbelievable host of others who became part of the tumult and triumph that make this history read like a novel. If you’re only going to read one book about Rushmore, this is the one.

Moon of Popping Trees

Author: Rex Alan Smith

Description: The Massacre at Wounded Knee was the last major battle between whites and Native Americans.With parallels to concerns some have of today’s news reports, you’ll see that this massacre was largely a result of overblown news reports of the danger of the Native American Ghost Dance. Even more startling is the revelation in this book that the Ghost Dance had its origin in the Christian resurrection story. This book spans fifty years of the life and struggles of Native Americans as they try to maintain their lifestyle in the face of America’s westward expansion.

Pioneer Days in the Black Hills

Author: John S. McClintock

Description: A rough-and-tumble account of the early days of Deadwood and the Dakota Territory written by early day pioneer John S.McClintock. He provides material on the gold rush, skirmishes with Indians, exploits of road agents and outlaws, and appearances of celebrities such as Wild Bill Hickok and Deadwood Dick.

A Boy Called Slow

Author: Joseph Bruchoc

Description: Joseph Bruchac presents a wonderful children’s book about the life of the great Sioux chief Sitting Bull.The historical Indian tale reassures young boys that success comes through effort and not through birth. Wonderfully told and illustrated in true storybook style.

A Wilder in the West

Author: William Anderson

Description: One woman’s valiant account of homesteading alone on the prairies near DeSmet, Dakota Territory in the 1880’s. Another wonderful book by William Anderson in his “Laura Ingalls Wilder Family Series.”

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

5 nights accommodations

13 meals:
5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners

Expert-led lectures: 3

Expert-led lectures

Led by one or more of our world-class instructors, typically in a classroom setting, lectures come in the form of presentations, discussions or workshops and offer expert insight into your area of study.

Field trips: 7

Field trips

The world is your classroom, as you're on location with an instructor to pursue your educational theme firsthand.

Hands-on experiences: 6

Hands-on experiences

Learn by doing in these "hands-on" activities directed by an expert.

Plus these special experiences...

Share stories around the campfire after a day of horseback riding and fun.

Become a Junior Paleontologist as you excavate mammals from long ago.

Try your hand at panning for gold and garnets, just like Potato Creek Johnny.

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:

Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.

An experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.

Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.